The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

For those who grew up watching “The Carol Burnett Show” and those who are nostalgic of the ’60s and ’70s will no doubt feel that this set is magnificent.  Over  50-episodes on 22 DVD’s featuring the best episodes of “The Carol Burnett Show”, watching it today, you just realize how special and unique this show truly was.  Hilarious, entertaining and a quality comedy/music show that will never, ever be duplicated, “The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection” is highly recommended!

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DVD TITLE: The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection

DURATION: The Carol Burnett Show: Carol’s Favorites (18 Hours and 33 Minutes), Carol Burnett Show – This Time Together (16 Hours and 19 Minutes), The Carol Burnett Show – One More Time (14 Hours and 30 Minutes), The Carol Burnett Show – Bonus Features (7 hours), The Carol Burnett Show – Exclusive Bonus Features (6 Hours)

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, Color,

COMPANY: Time Life/StarVista

RATED: NOT RATED

Directed by Dave Powers, Clark Jones

Written by Roger Beatty, Gail Parent, Arnie Rosen, Don Hinkley, Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon, Gene Perret, Bill Richmond, Ed Simmons, Bill Angelos, Buzz Kohan, Kenny Solms, Stan Burns, Mile Marmer, Larry Siegel, Arnie Kogen, Stan Hart, Heywood Kling, Gary Belkin, Rudy De Luca, Barry Levinson, Rick Hawkins, Liz Sage, Tim Conway, Saul Turteltaub, Hall Goldman, Larry Klein, Barry Harman, Arthur Julian, Jack Mendelsohn, Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses, Art Baer, Ben Joelson, Robert Hilliard, Elias Davis, David Pollock Adele Styler, Bob Illes, Franelle Silver, James R. Stein, Ray Jessel, Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf, Bo Kaprall, Pat Proft

Producer: Ed Simmons, Arnie Rosen, Bill Angelos, Buz Kohan, Chris Jenkyns

Executive Producer: Joe Hamilton, Bob Banner

Associate Producer: Robert Wright

Casting by Marilyn Howard

Art Direction by Paul Barnes, Bob Sansom, Chris Jenkyns

Set Decoration by Bill Harp, Richard Harvey

Costume Design by Bob Mackie

Starring:

Carol Burnett

Vicki Lawrence

Harvey Korman

Lyle Waggoner

Tim Conway

Ernie Anderson

Steve Lawrence

Ken Berry

Eydie Gorme

Nanette Fabray

Dick Van Dyke

Jim Nabors

Bernadette Peters

Tony Randall

Jack Klugman

Telly Savalas

Peggy Lee

Hal Linden

Lily Tomlin

Sammy Davis Jr.

Vincent Price

Mel Torme

Martha Raye

Helen Reddy

John Byne

The Pointer Sisters

Betty White

Steve Martin

Carl Reiner

Joan Rivers

The Jackson 5

Shirley MacLaine

Joanne Woodward

Pearl Bailey

Carl Reiner

Ruth Buzzi

Jack Gilford

The DVD collectors set that fans of classic TV have been waiting for is finally coming out as Time Life will now start taking pre-orders forTHE CAROL BURNETT SHOW: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION. The 22-DVD set contains 50 episodes from the award-winning and influential TV series, featuring the funniest and most beloved characters and sketches, including:

Went with the Wind
Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins
As the Stomach Turns
Carol & Sis
The Family
Nora Desmond
The Oldest Man
The Hollow Hero
Kitchen Commercials

Everybody wanted to be a guest on The Carol Burnett Show, and featured on the Ultimate Collection DVD set are the funniest and most talented people in the business, including: Betty White, Carl Reiner, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Joan Rivers, Bernadette Peters, Sammy Davis Jr., Alan Alda, Dick Van Dyke, Shirley MacLaine, Rock Hudson, Vincent Price, Phil Silvers, Joel Grey, The Smothers Brothers, Stiller & Meara, Tony Randall and many others.

In addition to the classic sketch the Ultimate Collection also boasts over 400 musical performances, including many tributes to the musical theatre and movies Carol grew up with.

In the ’70s, CBS would entertain America with comedy series such as “All in the Family”, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Bob Newhart Show”.  But there was one variety show that would entertain America with its comedy and music thanks to its cleverly written sketches and its featured guests.  That show was known as “The Carol Burnett Show” featuring main stars Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Wagoner and Tim Conway.

The series made its debut back in Sept. 1967 on Monday nights and during a time when America needed to smile, no matter how bad things were due to the war or political strife, Carol Burnett and her cast would do all they can to entertain America.

By 1971, “The Carol Burnett Show” would be one of top 30 shows on television and moved to Wednesdays and then in 1972, where it would be part of CBS powerhouse Saturday night lineup.

The series was known for many sketches such as “Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins”, a sketch that revolved around a ditzy secretary named Mrs. Wiggins (Carol Burnett) with big assets and a boss named Mr. Tudwall (Tim Conway) who gets easily frustrated by her.  The other would be “The Family” which would feature daughter Eunice (Carol Burnett) living with her insensitive mother (Vicki Lawrence) and married to a salesman (Harvey Korman), to name a few.

The series would also be known for its beautiful set design for each sketch and its costume design by fashion designer Bob Mackie (best known for creating the exclusive dress designs for “Barbie” and also creating the clothing for Cher).

By the late ’70s, American’s taste for television and would change as many would begin to favor dramas and despite discussion for another season in 1978, instead of having the show risk cancellation, after eleven years (and 278-episodes) on television, Carol Burnett decided that rather than be canceled, it was best to end the series on a high note.

And while Carol Burnett did return on other networks with shows such as “Carol Burnett & Company” (ABC, 1979), “Carol & Company” (NBC, 1990-1991), the Mama sketch would lead to a spin-off known as “Mama’s Family” featuring Vicki Lawrence which aired from 1983-1990. And “The Carol Burnett Show” would return back to CBS in 1991 for a brief revival, followed by three CBS TV specials which aired in 1993, 2001 and 2004.

And while there have been DVD releases of the specials and DVD’s of the “The Carol Burnett Show” featuring two episodes, in 2012, Time Life announced they will be releasing “The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection” via a 22-DVD set featuring 50 episodes (another set features 11-DVD’s with 25 episodes).

Included in “The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection” are as follows:

The Carol Burnett Show: Collector’s Edition – Carol’s Favorites

Featuring 16 uncut episodes (selected from various seasons) including some of the most beloved moments of the show and over three hours of exclusive bonus features!

• Show #1007, Original Air Date: October 30, 1976

Guest Staring Roddy McDowall

Q&A
Mrs. Wiggins: Buzz Off—Carol and Tim
Medical Documentary—Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Roddy McDowall
Hollywood Seven—Vicki
The Lift—Carol and Roddy McDowall
The Morning After—Carol, Harvey, Vicki
Finale: Salute to Silent Movies: Without a Word, Without a Sound—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Roddy McDowall, Dancers
Goodnights

• Show #1002, Original Air Date: November 13, 1976

Guest Staring Dinah Shore

Q&A
Business Lunch—Carol and Harvey
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover—Dinah Shore
The Oldest Man: The Butcher—Harvey and Tim
Went with the Wind!—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Dinah Shore
Finale: Basin Street: Basin Street Blues/That’s How I Love the Blues/The Birth of the Blues/Mad about Him Blues/A Good Man Is Hard to Find/I Ain’t Got Nobody/St. Louis Blues/Wang Wang Blues—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Dinah Shore, Dancers and Singers
Goodnights

• Show #1121, Original Air Date: March 5, 1978

Guest Staring Steve Martin, Betty White

As the Stomach Turns: Close Encounters—Carol, Tim, Vicki, Betty White, Steve Martin
Comedy Act for Dogs—Steve Martin
Bird Lady: The Escape—Carol and Tim
The Family: Ellen’s Anniversary—Cast and Betty White
The Late, Late Movie: Beach Blanket Boo-Boo—Carol, Tim, Vicki, Steve Martin, Betty White, Dancers and Singers
Goodnights

• Show #722, Original Air Date: March 16, 1974

  Guest Staring Roddy McDowall, The Jackson 5

  • Q&A
  • Talk and Duet Medley: Exactly Like You/She’s Funny That Way/They Didn’t Believe Me/Tea for Two/Speak Low/So in Love—Carol and Roddy McDowall
  • Short Film: Roddy McDowall in the Makeup Chair for Planet of the Apes
  • The Family: The Reunion—Cast and Roddy McDowall
  • The Carpenters—Carol, Harvey, Lyle
  • Dancing Machine—The Jackson 5
  • Bus Stop—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
  • Brief Encounter—Carol and Roddy McDowall
  • Finale: Music School Medley: This Old Man/ABC—Carol, The Jackson 5, Dancers and Singers
  • Goodnights

• Show #810, Original Air Date: November 23, 1974

  Guest Staring Maggie Smith

  • Q&A
  • Born Free—Carol, Harvey, Tim
  • Talk and Duet: You’re So London—Carol and Maggie Smith
  • My Buddy—Harvey and Tim
  • A Visit from Karen—Carol, Harvey, Maggie Smith
  • The Third Degree—Harvey and Vicki
  • Finale: Charwoman Medley: Oh, to Be a Movie Star/Cuddle Up a Little Closer—Carol and Dancers
  • Goodnights

   

• Show #903, Original Air Date: October 4, 1975

Guest Staring Shirley MacLaine

• Q&A
• The Family: The Flashback—Cast
• Talk and Duet: Fan Mail—Carol and Shirley MacLaine
• The Hollow Hero: Palace Guard—Carol, Harvey, Tim
• Little League Mothers—Carol, Harvey, Shirley MacLaine
• 200 Years Ago Today—Harvey and Tim
• Finale: Gorgeous/I Love to Dance Like They Used to Dance—Carol, Shirley MacLaine, Dancers
• Goodnights

• Show #812, Original Air Date: December 14, 1974

  Guest Staring Ken Berry, Carl Reiner

  • Q&A
  • Razzle-Dazzle—Ken Berry, Dancers and Singers
  • The Biggest Movie of the Week: Disaster ’75—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Ken Berry, Carl Reiner
  • Song Blackouts: I’ve Gotta Be Me/Something/Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!/A Baby Is Coming—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Ken Berry
  • Bedtime Honesty II—Carol and Harvey
  • Finale: Hold Me, Hamlet—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Carl Reiner, Ken Berry, Dancers and Singers
  • Goodnights

• Show #921, Original Air Date: February 14, 1976

  Guest Staring Joanne Woodward

  • Q&A
  • The Family: Friend from the Past—Cast and Joanne Woodward
  • The Butler and the Maid—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki
  • Wallflowers Duet: Why Can’t I/Let’s Be Buddies—Carol, Harvey, Joanne Woodward
  • Mrs. Wiggins: The Intercom…Again—Carol and Tim
  • Finale: Everything Old Is New Again—Carol, Vicki, Joanne Woodward, Dancers and Singers
  • Goodnights

• Show #716, Original Air Date: January 19, 1974

  Guest Staring Carl Reiner

  • Q&A
  • Accident Prone—Carol, Harvey, Lyle, Carl Reiner
  • Send in the Clowns—Carol and Harvey
  • Funny Lady—Carol, Harvey, Carl Reiner
  • Supermarket Checker—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
  • La Caperucita Roja: Little Red Riding Hood—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle, Carl Reiner, Dancers and Singers
  • Goodnight

• Show #814, Original Air Date: January 4, 1975

  Guest Staring Joan Rivers, Vincent Price

  • Q&A
  • Alice Portnoy: The Author—Carol and Vincent Price
  • Born in Brooklyn—Carol, Vicki, Joan Rivers, Dancers and Singers
  • Comedy Spot—Joan Rivers
  • The Ham Actor: The Understudies—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Vincent Price
  • TV Blackouts: Police Lady/Chiquita and the Man/Rhonda/Tony Tallahassee & Dusk—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Vincent Price, Joan Rivers, Tony Orlando & Dawn
  • The Walnuts—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Vincent Price, Joan Rivers
  • Finale: Sarah and the Moose—Carol, Harvey, Vincent Price, Joan Rivers, Singers
  • Goodnights

   

• Show #611, Original Air Date: October 25, 1972

Guest Staring Pearl Bailey

• Q&A
• Nora Desmond: The Commercial—Carol, Harvey, Tim
• Where Is Love—Pearl Bailey
• The Oldest Man: Galley Slaves—Harvey, Tim, Lyle
• The Psychiatrist: A Good Man Is Hard to Find—Carol and Pearl Bailey
• F. Lee Bunny—Carol, Tim, Lyle
• Salute to 20th Century Fox: Do-Re-Mi/You’ve Gotta See Mama Ev’ry Night (Or You Can’t See Mama at All)/Hound Dog/I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi (I Like You Very Much)—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Lyle, Pearl Bailey, Dancers
• Finale: Alexander’s Ragtime Band—Carol, Vicki, Pearl Bailey, Dancers and Singers
• Goodnight

 

• Show #1022, Original Air Date: March 26, 1977

Guest Staring Ken Berry

• Q&A
• Mrs. Wiggins: The Fire Drill—Carol, Harvey, Tim
• I Got Rhythm—Ken Berry and Dancers
• Harry’s Mirage and Grill—Harvey, Tim, Vicki
• Salute to MGM Musicals: Babes in Barns—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Ken Berry, Dancers
• Goodnights

• Show #817, Original Air Date: February 15, 1975

Guest Staring Rock Hudson, Nancy Walker

• Q&A
• Mine—Rock Hudson and Nancy Walker
• TV Commercials—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Rock Hudson, Nancy Walker
• Partners—Harvey
• The Late Late Late Show: When My Baby Laughs at Me—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Rock Hudson, Nancy Walker, Dancers and Singers
• Goodnights

• Show #1012, Original Air Date: December 11, 1976

  Guest Staring Betty White

  • Q&A
  • The Family: The Attic—Cast and Betty White
  • Pom Pom Girls: Ready to Begin Again—Carol and Betty White
  • Counterfeit Bill—Carol, Harvey, Tim
  • Finale: Salute to the Ziegfeld Follies—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Betty White, Dancers and Singers
  • Goodnights

• Show #803, Original Air Date: September 14, 1974

  Guest Staring Jim Nabors

  • With an A, B, C—Dancers and Singers
  • Q&A
  • The Family: Brotherly Love—Cast
  • Toilet Tissue—Carol
  • One Life—Jim Nabors
  • Bedtime Honesty—Carol and Harvey
  • Just a Gigolo—Carol, Harvey, Vicki
  • The Gunslinger—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Jim Nabors
  • Finale: Rimshot—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Jim Nabors, Dancers
  • Goodnights

• Show #823, Original Air Date: March 29, 1975

  Guest Staring Jean Stapleton, Phil Silvers

  • Tacky Lady: Alice Blue Gown—Carol
  • Q&A
  • The Couples—Carol, Harvey, Phil Silvers, Jean Stapleton
  • Losing My Mind—Jean Stapleton
  • TV Commercials—Carol, Harvey, Jean Stapleton, Phil Silvers
  • Saturday Night Stoop: Flings—Carol and Jean Stapleton
  • The Old Folks: Anniversary Present—Carol and Harvey
  • Hallway Encounter—Harvey and Jean Stapleton
  • Finale: Bilko’s New Army: Anything You Can Do/I’m a Woman/Alright, Okay, You Win—Carol, Harvey, Phil Silvers, Jean Stapleton, Dancers and Singers
  • Goodnights

  

The Carol Burnett Show – Collector’s Edition: This Time Together

• Show #612, Original Air Date: November 8, 1972

Guest Staring:  Steve Lawrence, Lily Tomlin

• We’re All Playing in the Same Band/I Believe in Music—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle, Steve Lawrence, Lily Tomlin, Dancers and Singers
• Comedy Spot: Restaurant Monologue—Lily Tomlin
• Carol and Sis: The Gay Divorcee—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lily Tomlin
• I Get Along without You Very Well/Without You—Steve Lawrence
• The Godfather—Carol, Harvey, Lyle, Steve Lawrence
• Caged Dames—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lily Tomlin, Steve Lawrence
• Charwoman: If My Friends Could See Me Now/Baby Dream Your Dream—Carol
• Goodnights

• Show #914, Original Air Date: November 29, 1975

Guest Staring:  Pointer Sisters

• Q&A
• TV Commercials—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki
• Save the Bones for Henry Jones—Pointer Sisters
• The Noisy Speech—Harvey and Tim
• Miss Nobody—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki
• Cinderella Gets It On—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Pointer Sisters
• Goodnights

• Show #824, Original Air Date: April 5, 1975

Guest Stars from Family Show

• Q&A
• The Family: Hardware Store—Cast
• Mama’s Hit Parade Medley—Carol and Vicki
• Shower Blackout: When Your Lover Has Gone—Carol
• The Oldest Man: Clock Repair—Harvey and Tim
• Ain’t That Nothin’—The Ernie Flatt Dancers and Singers
• Charwoman: The Two of Us/Carol’s Theme—Carol
• Goodnights

• Show #1102, Original Air Date: November 11, 1977

Guest Staring:  Dick Van Dyke

• Q&A
• A New Leash on Life—Tim, Vicki, Dick Van Dyke
• It All Depends on You—Carol and Dick Van Dyke
• The Malpractice Policy—Carol and Tim
• The Late Late Late Show: The Enchanted Hovel—Carol, Tim, Vicki, Dick Van Dyke
• Finale: The Funnies: It Was Me—Carol, Tim, Vicki, Dick Van Dyke
• Goodnights

• • Show #821, Original Air Date: March 15, 1975

    Guest Staring:  Roddy McDowall, Bernadette Peters

    • Q&A
    • The Family: Visit to Phillip—Cast and Roddy McDowall
    • All That Jazz—Bernadette Peters, Singers and Dancers
    • The Typists—Carol and Bernadette Peters
    • The Late, Late Movie: The Lady Heir—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Roddy McDowall
    • Finale: Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock Paris ’90s Mini-Musical: Good Clean Fun/Dear Friend/Matchmaker, Matchmaker/Will He Like Me/Sunrise, Sunset/Days Gone By/The Very Next Man/If I Were a Rich Man/Do You Love Me/She Loves Me—Carol, Harvey, Bernadette Peters, Roddy McDowall, Dancers and Singers
    • Goodnights

  • Show #901, Original Air Date: September 20, 1975

    Guest Staring:  Sammy Davis Jr.

    • Q&A
    • Backstage—Carol and Sammy Davis Jr.
    • Medley: Yes I Can/Too Close for Comfort/Something’s Gotta Give/Hey There/The Birth of the Blues/Candy Man/What Kind of Fool Am I—Sammy Davis Jr.
    • No-Frills Airline—Carol, Harvey, Tim
    • The Deputy—Harvey, Vicki, Sammy Davis Jr.
    • Finale: Salute to Harold Arlen Mini-Musical: Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe/Two Ladies in De Shade of De Banana Tree/Get Happy/Gotta Have Me Go with You/Come Rain or Come Shine/Hooray for Love/Follow the Yellow Brick Road/The Man That Got Away/Down with Love/Moanin’ in the Mornin’/When the Sun Comes Out/I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues/Stormy Weather/Over the Rainbow/Let’s Fall in Love/Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Sammy Davis Jr., Dancers and Singers
    • Goodnights

  • Show #704, Original Air Date: November 10, 1973

    Guest Staring: Petula Clark

    • Q&A
    • The Ham Actor: Contact Lenses—Carol, Harvey, Lyle
    • Silver Spoon—Petula Clark
    • Airline Security—Harvey and Tim
    • The Old Flame—Carol, Harvey, Vicki
    • As the Stomach Turns: Marian’s Problem—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Lyle, Petula Clark
    • Salute to the ’50s and ’60s: Yesterday Once More/Born to Hand Jive/Peppermint Twist—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Petula Clark, Dancers and Singers
    • Goodnights

  • Show #1001, Original Air Date: October 16, 1976

    Guest Staring:  Madeline Kahn

    • Q&A
    • The Family: The Rehearsal—Cast and Madeline Kahn
    • Talk and Duet: Friend—Carol and Madeline Kahn
    • Mrs. Wiggins: The Vending Machine—Carol, Harvey, Tim
    • That’s Entertainment, Part 86: That’s Showbiz/Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo-Oo/Slippery When Wet—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Madeline Kahn, Dancers and Singers
    • Goodnights

  • Show #1017, Original Air Date: January 22, 1977

    Guest Stars from Family Show
• Q&A
• Wrong Number—Carol and Tim
• Saturday Night—Carol, Harvey, Tim
• Nadia’s Theme—The Ernie Flatt Dancers
• The Recital—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki
• Vacuum Salesman—Tim and Vicki
• The Late Late Late Show: Torchy Song—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Dancers
• Goodnights
• • Show #1106, Original Air Date: October 29, 1977

   

Guest Staring:  Ken Berry, Dick Van Dyke

• Q&A
• Mrs. Wiggins: Ol’ Paint—Carol and Tim
• Girls/Emily—Ken Berry, Dancers and Singers
• Hand Insurance—Carol and Dick Van Dyke
• The Late Late Late Show: Stolen Serenade—Carol, Tim, Vicki, Dick Van Dyke, Ken Berry, Dancers and Singers
• Goodnights

  • Show #706, Original Air Date: October 13, 1973

    Guest Staring: Eydie Gorme, Paul Sand

  • Q&A
  • The Parolee—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
  • Take One Step—Eydie Gorme
  • Honeymoon Sweet—Carol and Paul Sand
  • Royalty—Harvey, Singers and Dancers
  • Salute to Movie Series: Young Dr. Kildaire/The Cisco Kid/Tarzan/The Wolfman—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle, Paul Sand, Eydie Gorme
  • Finale: The Dead End Kids: Gee, Officer Krupke!—Carol, Harvey, Lyle, Paul Sand, Eydie Gorme
  • Goodnights

   

  • Show #610, Original Air Date: November 1, 1972

Guest Staring:  Peggy Lee, Stiller & Meara

• Q&A
• Sunday Comics: Mary Worthless—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
• A Song for You—Peggy Lee
• Comedy Spot: Mr. and Mrs. Chou En-lai—Stiller & Meara
• Girl Talk—Carol and Peggy Lee
• As the Stomach Turns: Circus Soap—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle, Anne Meara, Jerry Stiller
• The Auto Accident—Carol, Harvey, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara
• Finale: Street Wedding: The Rhythm of Life—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle, Anne Meara, Jerry Stiller, Peggy Lee, Dancers and Singers
• Goodnights

• Show #710, Original Air Date: December 8, 1973

Special Guests: The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Ballet, Edward Villela and Lucette Aldous

• Airplane, It’s Today, Q&A, The Oldest Man: The Conductor: William Tell Overture, Ballet: Corsaire, The Ham Actor: The Drunk, Finale: Chairwoman: Swan Lake/For All We Know, Goodnights

• Show #908, Original Air Date: October 25, 1975

Special Guests: Pointer Sisters

• Q&A, The Family: Charades, How Long (Betcha’ Got a Chick on the Side), Take My Drink…Please, Mr. C: Just in Time, Mr. C: Make Someone Happy, Sheepman Jack, Fight to the Finish, Finale: Get Me to the Curch on Time, Goodnights

• Show #624, Original Air Date: March 24, 1973

Special Guests: The Ernie Flatt Dancers

• Keep it in the Family, Q&A, Barbary and Ben, Dueling Banjos/Arkansas Traveler, The Getaway, The Elbow: Dem Bones/The Elbow, The Old Movie: Rancid HArvest, Charwoman: Without Me She is Nothing, Goodnights

• Show #1019, Original Air Date: March 5, 1977

Special Guest: Hal Linden

• Q&A, The Ham Actor: Astro-Bowl, I Won’t Last a Day Without You, Talk, The Oldest Man: The Captain, Riverboat Mini-Musical, Goodnights

• Show #714, Original Air Date: January 5, 1974

• Q&A, Monkey Man, Maybe This Time, Stella Toddler: Grauman’s Chinese Theater, In Buddy’s Eyes, The Ad Men, Finale: With a Pow! Pow! With a Bang! Bang! Bang!, Goodnights

The Carol Burnett Show – Collector’s Edition – Carol’s Favorites

• Show #718, Original Air Date: February 9, 1974

Guest Staring:  Joel Grey, Vincent Price

• Q&A
• Carol and Sis: The Boyfriend—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Joel Grey
• Rhoda Dimple—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
• The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln—Vincent Price
• The Switchboard—Carol, Vicki, Lyle, Joel Grey, Vincent Price
• Spy Story—Harvey and Vincent Price
• Finale: Punch and Judy Show: Comedy Tonight/Punch and Judy—Carol, Joel Grey, Vincent Price
• Goodnights

 

• Show #806, Original Air Date: October 12, 1974

• Guest Staring:Telly Savalas, The Smothers Brothers

• Q&A
• Comedy Spot: The Nightingale Song—The Smothers Brothers
• The Family: Hospital Visit—Cast and Tom Smothers
• Rubber Bands and Bits of String—Telly Savalas
• The Broken Merger—Harvey and Telly Savalas
• TV Commercials—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Dick Smothers, Tom Smothers
• Poopi Le Moko—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Telly Savalas
• Goodnights

  • Show #806, Original Air Date: October 12, 1974

    Guest Staring: Telly Savalas, The Smothers Brothers

    • Q&A
    • Comedy Spot: The Nightingale Song—The Smothers Brothers
    • The Family: Hospital Visit—Cast and Tom Smothers
    • Rubber Bands and Bits of String—Telly Savalas
    • The Broken Merger—Harvey and Telly Savalas
    • TV Commercials—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Dick Smothers, Tom Smothers
    • Poopi Le Moko—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Telly Savalas
    • Goodnights

  • Show #909, Original Air Date: November 15, 1975

    Guest Staring:  Maggie Smith

    • Q&A
    • That’s the Way the Kitchen Crumbles—Carol and Harvey
    • The Cockney Lesson—Carol and Maggie Smith
    • The Oldest Man: The Doctor—Harvey and Tim
    • The Family: Teacher’s Dilemma—Cast and Maggie Smith
    • Finale: Show Biz: That’s Show Biz/Comedy Tonight/Be a Clown/Let Me Entertain You/There’s No Business Like Show Business—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Maggie Smith, Dancers and Singers
    • Goodnights

     

  • Show #911, Original Air Date: November 22, 1975

    Guest Staring: Betty White

    • Q&A
    • German Car Dealers—Harvey and Tim
    • By the Time I Get to Phoenix—Carol and Harvey
    • The Bug—Carol and Tim
    • 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle)—The Ernie Flatt Dancers
    • The Family: Mama’s Birthday—Cast and Betty White
    • Finale: When a Band Plays/I Love a Parade/Soul Serial—Carol, Betty White, Dancers, Locke High School Marching Band
    • Goodnights

     

  • Show #923, Original Air Date: March 6, 1976

    Guest Staring:  Jack Klugman

    • Q&A
    • The Small Office—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki
    • Where Were You—Carol and Jack Klugman
    • The Clairvoyant—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Jack Klugman
    • I’ll Do the Talking—Carol and Tim
    • Stop Grabbing My Jewels—Tim
    • Finale: The Country’s in the Very Best of Hands—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Jack Klugman, Dancers and Singers
    • Goodnights

     

    • Show #719, Original Air Date: February 16, 1974
    • Guest Staring: Bernadette Peters
      • Q&A
      • As the Stomach Turns: The Exorcist—Carol, Tim, Lyle, Bernadette Peters
      • Blame It on My Youth—Bernadette Peters
      • The Meeting—Carol and Vicki
      • Two-Man Sub—Harvey and Tim
      • Gangster Movie: The Assassin—Harvey and Tim
      • Goodnights

       

    • Show #809, Original Air Date: November 9, 1974

      Guest Staring: Helen Reddy, John Byner

      • Q&A
      • Angie Baby—Helen Reddy
      • The Family: Sorry!—Cast
      • Comedy Spot—John Byner
      • The Pickups—Carol, Harvey, Helen Reddy, John Byner
      • Goodnights

    • Show #1009, Original Air Date: November 20, 1976

      Guest Staring: Ken Berry

      • Q&A
      • The Oldest Man: The Hot Dog Vendor—Harvey and Tim
      • Love Stolen—Ken Berry and Dancers
      • Mildred Fierce—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki
      • Finale: Johnny Mercer Mini-Musical: Laura/Not Mine/Tangerine/Namely You/This Is My Night to Howl/Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home/Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Ken Berry
      • Goodnights

    • Show #907, Original Air Date: October 11, 1975

      Guest Staring: Bernadette Peters

      • Q&A
      • The Pail—Carol and Harvey
      • Mr. C: White Christmas—Tim and Singers
      • He’s the Wizard—Bernadette Peters, Dancers and Singers
      • Stella Toddler: The Maiden and the Mugger—Carol, Harvey, Tim
      • Mr. C: Once in Love with Amy—Tim and Singers
      • Mr. C: Fools Rush In—Tim and Singers
      • Give Him the Needle—Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Bernadette Peters
      • Goodnights

    • Show #912, Original Air Date: December 6, 1975

      Guest Staring: Eydie Gorme

      • Q&A
      • Stella Toddler: The Hospital—Carol, Harvey, Eydie Gorme
      • As Time Goes By—Eydie Gorme, Peter Matz and the Orchestra
      • The Man without a Green Thumb—Carol and Tim
      • Kitchen Commercials—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Eydie Gorme
      • The Oldest Man: The Torturer—Harvey, Tim, Vicki
      • Goodnights

    • Show #902, Original Air Date: November 1, 1975

      Guest Staring: Roddy McDowall

      • Q&A
      • Laughter Is the Best Medicine—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Roddy McDowall
      • Tongue Twisters/Moses Supposes—Carol and Roddy McDowall
      • The Truck Drivers—Harvey, Tim, Vicki
      • Assembly Line—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Roddy McDowall
      • The Swinger: For Once in My Life—Tim and Vicki
      • The Late, Late Movie: The Little Foxies—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Roddy McDowall
      • Goodnights

      • Show #922, Original Air Date: February 21, 1976

        Guest Staring: Tony Randall, Dick Van Dyke

        • Q&A
        • Death of Salesman—Carol, Harvey, Dick Van Dyke
        • Madeira M’Dear—Tony Randall
        • Root of All Evil—Vicki, Dick Van Dyke, Tony Randall
        • Ballin’ the Jack—Dick Van Dyke, Dancers and Singers
        • Warning Signals—Carol and Tony Randall
        • Goodnights

      • Show #707, Original Air Date: October 20, 1973

        Guest Staring: Ken Berry, Jack Weston

        • Q&A
        • Computer Date—Carol and Jack Weston
        • It’s Not Where You Start—Ken Berry, Dancers and Singers
        • The Operation—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Jack Weston, Ken Berry
        • Tacky Lady: The Lady Is a Tramp—Carol
        • Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
        • Finale: Elizabethan Rhythm—Carol, Vicki, Ken Berry, Dancers and Singers
        • Goodnights

      • Show #917, Original Air Date: January 10, 1976

        Guest Staring: Steve Lawrence

        • Q&A
        • Career Couple—Carol and Harvey
        • In the Still of the Night—Steve Lawrence and the Orchestra
        • Riddles—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Steve Lawrence
        • Mrs. Wiggins: The Intercom—Carol and Tim
        • Salute to Universal Studios—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Steve Lawrence
        • Tribute to Glenn Miller—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Steve Lawrence, Dancers and Singers

      • Show #1004, Original Air Date: September 25, 1976

        Guest Staring: Jim Nabors

        • Q&A
        • The Rain in Spain—Carol and Jim Nabors
        • Mary Mary, Quite Contrary, Mary Mary, Quite Contrary—Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, Jim Nabors
        • Let Me Be There—Jim Nabors, Dancers and Singers
        • Do Not Disturb—Tim
        • The Family: Monopoly—Cast
        • Goodnights

         

      • Show #1020, Original Air Date: February 12, 1977

        Guest Staring: Eydie Gorme

        • Q&A
        • Mrs. Wiggins: The Vacation—Carol and Tim
        • What I Did for Love—Eydie Gorme
        • Talk—Carol and Eydie Gorme
        • Kidnapping—Carol and Harvey
        • The Family: The Gong Show—Cast, Chuck Barris, Jamie Farr, Jaye P. Morgan, Allen Ludden
        • Goodnights

      • Show #616, Original Air Date: January 20, 1973

        Guest Staring: Ruth Buzzi, Jack Gilford

        • Q&A
        • Censorship—Carol, Harvey, Vicki
        • Tina T—Ruth Buzzi, Dancers and Singers
        • Carol and Sis: The Accident—Carol, Harvey, Vicki
        • The Wedding Day: I’m Calm/More I Cannot Wish You—Carol and Jack Gilford
        • The Nudge: The Pirate—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle
        • Love’s the Only Game in Town—Carol
        • Snow White: 15 Years Later—Carol, Harvey, Vicki, Lyle, Ruth Buzzi, Jack Gilford
        • Goodnights

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“The Carol Burnett Show” is presented in 4:3 and in monaural.  The quality of the video is pretty good considering its age.  Most series tend to show its age or show discoloration but every episode presented on this DVD is in very good shape.  Dialogue and music is clear.  I saw no defects or any problematic issues while watching these episodes.

There is a disclaimer at the beginning of each DVD that some episodes will have occasional flaws in the image and sound quality and they sought out the best materials to make this DVD.  Aside from the menus looking a bit fuzzy and low-res, watching many of the episodes, I personally didn’t catch any problems or any audio problems during my viewing.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection” comes with the following special features:

The Carol Burnett Show: Carol’s Favorites

• “Let’s Bump Up the Lights”: Cast reunion with Carol, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner – (35:34) Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner reminisce of the past.
  
• Featurette: “I Want to Push That Button…” on the history of The Carol Burnett Show – (19:26) Carol Burnett and friends talk about the history of “The Carol Burnett Show”.
• The rarely seen sketch “The Dentist,” with Tim Conway and Harvey Korman (original air date March 3, 1969) – (9:37)
• The Garry Moore Show episode featuring Carol Burnett in the “Supergirl” sketch—the first time Carol did the Tarzan yell on television (original air date March 6, 1962) – (34:01) A classic episode from “The Garry Moore Show” featuring Carol Burnett as “Supergirl”.
• Featurette: “Ahhhh, Mrs. Whiggins?” with the exasperated Mr. Tudball – (13:51) Tim Conway and Carol Burnett reminisce of Mr. Whiggins and Mr. Tudball.
• Interview with Carol Burnett – (15:36) Carol Burnett talks about how she began on television.
• Featurette: “Leading Lady—Carol as a Television Pioneer” – (11:49) Celebrities talk about Carol Burnett’s career.
• “Harvey Korman & Tim Conway—Together Again”: A rare interview with Harvey and Tim (taped in Los Angeles on April 24, 2004), talking about their ten years together on The Carol Burnett Show – (46:19) A 2004 interview featuring Harvey Korman and Tim Conway.
• Interviews with Betty White (7:23), Carl Reiner (20:44)

The Carol Burnett Show – This Time Together

• “This Time Together”: Cast reunion with Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner – (30:42) Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner reunite to reminisce of the past.
• Interviews with: Tim Conway (19:13) and Steve Lawrence (15:21)
• Featurette: Gags and Gowns – A Tribute to Designer Bob Mackie – (19:54) Carol Burnett talks about the costume design by Bob Mackie and featuring scenes of Mackie’s designs from past episodes.
• Featurette: Side Effects May Include… – About the “TV Commercials” – (10:05) Carol Burnett would talk about the TV commercial sketches.
• Interviews with Carol Burnett (19:16), Vicki Lawrence (15:32)

The Carol Burnett Show – Collector’s Edition – One More Time

• “One More Time”: Cast reunion with Carol, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner – (33:12) Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner reunite to reminisce of the series.
• Interviews with Betty White (6:04) and Joel Grey (12:57)
• Featurette: “Focus on ‘The Family’” – (16:17) Carol Burnett talks about “The Family” sketch.
• Featurette: From Soaps to Nuts: The TV Parodies – (20:26) Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner talk about the TV parodies featured in the series.
• Interviews with Carol Burnett (16:58) and Vicki Lawrence (11:03)

The Carol Burnett Show: Exclusive Bonus Features I

• The Garry Moore Show episode featuring Carole Burnett’s last appearance as a member of the cast (original air date June 26, 1962) – (29:49)
• Bonus Sketch: “Society Marriage” with Jerry Lewis (original air date January 11, 1971) – (12:13)
  
• Bonus sketch: “The Rock Sisters” with Lucille Ball (original air date November 24, 1969) – (16:39)
• Featurette: Bring Up the Lights – Carol’s Q&As – (21:20) Carol Burnett talks about the opening Q&A’s of the show.
• “Harvey Korman & Tim Conway – Together Again” (taped in Los Angeles, April 2004) – (41:39) Interview with Harvey Korman and Tim Conway.
• Interviews with Ken Berry (31:34), Lainie Kazan (11:01), Bernadette Peters (8:21), Carl Reiner (19:31), Gail Parent (15:05), Kenny Solms (14:12), Tim Conway (18:03)
• Bonus Feature: Guest Book from Season 10 – (6:33) A quick montage of the guests from season 10 of “The Carol Burnett Show”.
• Bonus Sketch: “Brown Derby with Bing Crosby and cameo by Bob Hope (Original air date November 10, 1969) – (7:39)
• Featurette: Laugh Tracks – A Tribute to the Writers on the Carol Burnett Show – (19:47) Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Lyle Waggoner  talk about the writers of the series.
• Featurette: Starlet, Mildred, and More – A Celebration of the Movie Parodies – (21:43) Carol Burnett talks about the movie parody sketches of the show.
• “Harvey Korman Remembers” – Interview with Harvey Korman, reminiscing about the Carol Burnett Show and other career highlights (taped in Los Angeles, April 2004) – (32:48)
• Interviews with Jerry Lewis  (12:17) and Amy Poehler (11:26)
• Interviews with Lyle Waggoner (9:56), Ellen DeGeneres (8:24), Jane Lynch (13:07), Kyra Thompson (10:53), Bob Mackie (19:40), Betty White (5:16)

The Carol Burnett Show: Exclusive Bonus Features II

• The Garry Moore Show episode featuring Carol Burnett in the “Cinderella” sketch – with Carol as Cinderella (original air date, April 24, 1962) – (26:34)
• “Harvey Korman Remembers” – Interviews with Harvey Korman, reminiscing about his career (taped in Los Angeles, April 20, 2004) – (36:56)
• Bonus Sketch: Lovely Story, parody of Love Story (original air date February 1, 1971) – (14:27)
• Featurette: Next Stop, Broadway – About the Mini-Musicals – (18:47) A look at the mini-musicals featured on “The Carol Burnett Show”.
• Interviews with Amy Poehler (7:29), Kyra Thompson (9:29), Gail Parent (11:46), Kenny Solms (12:55), Lyle Waggoner (9:29), Rita Moreno (18:46), Bernadette Peters (10:04), Tim Conway (14:40)
• Bonus Sketch: Sunnyset Boulevard, parody of Sunset Boulevard with Carol and Harvey Korman (original air date December 29, 1971) – (9:19)
• Featurette: Breaking Up is Hard…Not to Do – The Ensemble Chemistry and Famous “Break-Ups” on the Carol Burnett Show – (20:47) Episodes where the talent lost it and couldn’t stop laughing during an episode.
• Featurette: We Love You Harvey – (21:31) The cast and celebrities remember the ensemble cast and Harvey Korman.
• Interviews with Ken Berry (31:05), Lainie Kazan (9:17), Steve Lawrence (13:43), Jane Lynch (15:51), Vicki Lawrence (12:41), Bob Mackie (17:34), Rita Moreno (19:56)

EXTRAS:

“The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection” is presented in a special box that holds all DVD’s and comes with a 20-page booklet with a message from Carol Burnett plus quotes from celebrities and cast about “The Carol Burnett Show”.

I can easily remember watching “The Carol Burnett Show” as a child.  Dressed in my pajamas, me and my younger brother would join our mother and father to watch the series.  And it’s probably one of few memories I do have watching a TV series with my parents. “The Carol Burnett Show” is a show that pretty much was our “family” show.

And this is my first time watching this series again since the ’70s.  Now in my ’40s, I watch this series in awe because not only was Carol Burnett’s appearance on the show important, not since Lucille Ball headlined her own series did you see a female talent be the headliner of her own show on prime time television and dominate in the rankings.

Not only do I see her now, more than just an extremely talented comedian and performer (not only can she act, she can sing!) but I see her as a leader and intelligent business woman who not only worked with one of the greatest ensemble casts on television but was able to create a show, along with her talent writers, that would never ever be duplicated.

Sure, “Saturday Night Live” continues to live on in late night television but “The Carol Burnett Show” represented a moment in time when people needed to laugh.  With the Vietnam War, political strife, economic issues plaguing America at the time, you needed a show that would make you forget for an hour and just entertain you.  Make you laugh with its brilliant and cleverly written sketches but also was so hilarious, thanks to the improvisation of the talent, especially Tim Conway and just watching to see if he would be able to make Harvey Korman laugh and lose it during his sketch.

Watching “The Carol Burnett Show” in 2012, not only was I struck by its production value but more so of how unique it was.  Carol Burnett would open the show by allowing the audience ask her questions, it was one thing to have the comedy sketches make you laugh but the writing and the musical segments were the kind of quality that would introduce people to musicals because they were so accessible, entertaining and fun.  Not only did the special guests take part in the sketches but it was also a diverse series that embraced cultures.

And just watching this series, you just realize how magical this ensemble cast was and you know in your heart, a show like this can never be duplicated.  Even when the series came back in other forms for other networks, it was never able to achieve the same quality as the original.   This was a special series that entertained people of all ages and its a shame that the quality of today’s television will never match the quality of this comedy/musical series.  I don’t even know if a variety show such as “The Carol Burnett” can ever be done on prime time, but for those who were able to watch this series and be entertained by it, it’s a series you remember.   May it be “The Family” (which starred Vicki Lawrence and a sitcom I watched every week growing up) to the crazy Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins, there were so many sketches that were so entertaining and fun.

And here are now with “The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection”.  Featuring 50 episodes from the award-winning and influential TV series featuring Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner and Tim Conway along with America’s top celebrities such as Betty White, Carl Reiner, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Joan Rivers, Bernadette Peters, Sammy Davis Jr., Alan Alda, Dick Van Dyke, Shirley MacLaine, Rock Hudson, Vincent Price, Phil Silvers, Joel Grey, The Smothers Brothers, Stiller & Meara, Tony Randall and many more.

Featuring over 400 musical performances and to top it off, a large collection of special features remembering the series, additional sketches but also paying tribute to Carol Burnett when she was on “The Garry Moore show”, paying tribute to the ensemble cast and also remembering the late Harvey Korman.  Plus interviews with guests who worked with Carol Burnett and also stars who grew up watching the series.  Special interviews include talents Betty White, Carl Reiner, Jerry Lewis, Ken Berry, Rita Moreno, Steve Lawrence, Lainie Kazanand Joel Grey; writers Kenny Solms, Gail Parent, Kenand Mitzi Welch, designer Bob Mackie and current performers influenced by Carol such as Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Lynch and Amy Poehler.

This truly is a magnificent ultimate collection from Time Life.  Is there anything that I can see as a negative of this release?  Not really, but I suppose with only 50-episodes featured and over 250-episodes being created, I’m sure the die-hard fans will have some episodes that they wish were included in this set.  And for those who are picky about their DVD collections fitting onto shelves, “The Carol Burnett Show” is in a special ultimate collection box (that resembles other specialized sets such as the Collector’s Edition of “Gone with the Wind” and “Mel Brooks” set).

But Time Life really went out to find episodes with the best source and present them in this box set.  I personally felt that they did a magnificent job in the episode selection but I know it will be subjective to fans who wish other episodes were included.

But for so long, many fans of “The Carol Burnett Show” have wanted a release with many episodes instead of the specials or a DVD release with only two episodes.  On the Time Life website for “The Carol Burnett Show”, you do have a choice of selecting 25 episodes on 11 DVD’s or 50 episodes on 22 DVD’s for purchase.

Overall, for those who grew up watching “The Carol Burnett Show” and those who are nostalgic of the ’60s and ’70s will no doubt feel that this set is magnificent.  Over  50-episodes on 22 DVD’s featuring the best episodes of “The Carol Burnett Show”, watching it today, you just realize how special and unique this show truly was.  Hilarious, entertaining and a quality comedy/music show that will never, ever be duplicated, “The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection” is highly recommended!

PURCHASE THIS DVD FROM TIME LIFE